Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James Page 0,158

“GW” stationary and find myself reaching for it. I want to see Barrett’s handwriting again, but that’s not the only reason I unfold the note. I still want to know him more. Want to know what he’s thinking, what he’s feeling. Want to know his friends. I tell myself there’s nothing personal in such a short note, and open it before my conscience can kick in. I feel a pleasant jolt at the sight of his familiar handwriting.

THANKS FOR WATCHING MY BACK, BROTHER. -BEAR

I bring the note to my chest for a second, then slide it back in.

Half an hour later, I’m paying the woman at the UPS store, and she’s telling me about how her pet parrot has gotten into the habit of telling all her houseguests “Go clean those feathers, honey!” when I realize…I’m laughing. Really laughing, right here in the store. I’m laughing, and on my right side, someone tall is maybe laughing, too.

I turn my head as I get my receipt and change, and my gaze catches on a pair of pale blue eyes. Heat sweeps through me as I realize he’s familiar: his hair is red like mine; he’s tall and built, kind of like Barrett…

The guy from the moccasin shop.

I give him a small smile, more to push out of my comfort zone than anything else. He gives me a wink, and when I turn to go, I think I feel him right behind me. Then I push the door open and I see Barrett’s smiling face, and the guy is forgotten in the warmth of Bear’s arms as he pulls me to him and I melt against his body, my arms twined around my neck, until an older couple smiles at us from down the sidewalk, and we laugh and they laugh, like we’re a spectacle, and I think maybe we are.

“Let’s get lunch,” he says. We hold hands and walk to a little sandwich shop with old-fashioned, burnt-orange, plastic booths, Coke clocks with swinging hands all along one wall, and a green glass vase with a carnation poking out the top beside the napkin holder.

Barrett smiles with mustard on his lip and tells me about the inspection.

“The place is perfect.”

He’s glowing, which makes me smile, too.

His leg rubs mine under the table as he talks. We brush each other’s fingertips as we sip soda and Barrett eats his sandwich, then the rest of mine.

“How about your morning, Piglet?”

We talk through a drink refill, top our lunch off with peppermints from this adorable little glass jar by the door, and latch hands as we step into the sunlight. It’s a balmy, humid day, springtime-warm.

“How’d you find me at the UPS place?” I ask.

Barrett smiles. “I was watching for you. Want a walk to Helga’s office?”

“Yes.” I lean my cheek against his arm as we walk slowly toward her little, white brick building. “You’ll go home after?”

He nods. “Unless you want me to stay. I could kill some time down here. You need anything done?”

I smile, and Barrett smirks. “That’s some Cheshire Cat stuff there.”

“I know.” I laugh. “That line is every woman’s wet dream.”

We nuzzle each other outside Helga’s office, and Barrett agrees to meet me here in fifty minutes.

“I’ll pick up a helmet for you. Pink?” His brow quirks up.

I nod, smiling.

“Second choice neon green?”

I grin and blow him a kiss.

Fifty minutes later, I emerge, feeling lighter and holding the business card of a local therapist who works with vets.

I see Barrett’s yummy, thick back leaned against the glass window at the front of Helga’s office, and my heart does a little tap dance of excitement.

I launch myself into his arms as soon as my feet hit the sidewalk. He pushes a hot pink helmet on my head. I lean my head back. “Do I look sexy?”

“Very sexy. So damn sexy,” he murmurs, kissing me lightly, “it’s a shame you have to drive yourself back.”

“Race you there?”

He smirks. “C’mon…”

I punch his arm and dart off toward my car. When I pull into my driveway, Barrett’s standing on the porch with his arms crossed, an adorable smirk on his face and his dark hair blowing in the perpetual mountain breeze. When I get out of the car, the first thing I notice is his dick tenting his pants, a dark glaze on his eyes.

I unlock the laundry room door, but before I step inside, I unbutton my pants so as I walk, they’ll fall down.

“Fucking hell, Gwenna. I hope that pussy wants a